After months of meetings, rehearsals and preparation, Tales of a City of the Sea has ended its incredible run at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto. With back to back sold-out shows, rave reviews and standing ovations at every show, Tales of a City by the Sea’s message of love and life in Gaza reached over 1000 people from across the GTA in addition to people who travelled from across Canada and the US to see the play, including Dr. Tarek Loubani and Huwaida Arraf, founder of the Free Gaza Boats, who travelled to see the Saturday night show and participate in a panel. We at CFOS would like to thank all the endorsers and attendees who helped make the play such a success. We would also like to thank our sponsors Golden Dough Bakery and Beit Zatoun for their support.
“When real-life heroes who inspire your writing come to see your play! [Saturday] night Huwaida Arraf, who was on the Free Gaza Boats, and Dr. Tarek Loubani, a physician who often volunteers in Gaza, came to see our show and both agreed to join us on stage and talk about their experiences and how that resonated with the characters and stories I’ve written. THIS is how we marked the 100th performance of Tales of a City by the Sea world-wide!”
– Samah Sabawi
You can view the program of the play and learn about the people who made it possible here!
Here is a selection of beautiful photos from the play taken by Malak Abu Atal
Cast
Jomana- Saja Kilani
Rami- Anas Hasan
Lama- Liana Bdewi
Ali – Maher Sinno
Abu Ahmad- Basel Daoud
Samira- May Tartoussy
Homeland Security Gaurd 1- Khira Weiting
Homeland Security Gaurd 2- Kody Poisson
Mohanad/ Ensemble: Naseem Reesha
Um Ahmad/ Nurse/ Crying Woman/ Ensemble: Nawal Hamdan
Singers: Shireen Abu Khader, Natalie Fasheh
Creative
Playwright: Samah Sabawi
Director: Rahaf Fasheh
Set Design- Kayla Chaterji
Costume Design- Mira Salti
Lighting Design – Lidia Foote
Sound Design- Matt Lalonde
Props Manager- Daniel Austin-Boyde
Music Directors: Shireen Abu Khader, Natalie Fasheh
Graphic Design: Haya Fasheh
Crew
Stage Managers- Oriana Di Nucci, Ahlam Hassan
Production Manager: Yara Shoufani
Dramaturg: Rolla Bahsous
Assistant Director: Taranjot Bamrah
Assistant Set Design: Yara Salama, Jackie McCowan
Assistant Costume Design: Noor Kilani
Assistant Stage Managers- Christina Kozak, Dina Kawar
Volunteer Committee: Kathleen Tanel, Anne MacGregor-o’neill
Credits
Painting: Tina Dahdal
Song ‘Rahoo’ Composition- Aseel Tayeh
